OK, the Game Forum doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic, so I decided to see if I could get a good thread started, especially since we ARE a speaker company.

What game do you think has the best sound in it or is/was one where you really were aware of the impact of the sound?  Doesn't matter whether it's computer or console based.  Old or new.

I can remember back when Thief: The Dark Project came out back in 1998 (yeah, dating myself a bit).  It was one of the first games I can remember being blown away by the 3D audio (since I also had a soundcard that supported 4.1 surround).  I would just have Garrett sit in a dark area not move and I could tell that the guard was coming up behind me from the left side just by listening.

 It's the first game I could remember that it felt like I was really in the game.

 Which games stand out to you?

---

Mark
Aperion Audio Guru

Well, I've been playing PS3's SoComm lately and it definitely has some nice sounds, but mainly guns, grenades, explosions, war fare type of sounds.  The spacial placement of these sounds is smack on.  If you have a nice sub, hold on tight because it will be rocking.  I really enjoy playing SoComm using the Aperions, but have made sure that I play during the day (now that I don't have a job) so that I don't disturb the neighbors with all of the explosions going on.  Another game that I've played lately with nice environmental sounds is Fallout 3 however I think the quality is probably not as good because the developers probably compressed the audio so it will fit on a 9GB disk (dumb 360 limitation).  You probably won't even notice it though while you're playing.  Well, those are the only two I can contribute now.  I don't really play PC games anymore.  Actually, not at all and can't see myself hooking up the audio out from a PC to play on a TV.

I don't have a lot of memories of legacy games with great sound, but the surround effects in newer games have definitely gotten better.  Two that stand out are Tiger Woods 09 and Killzone 2.  The latter is actually really helpful in knowing where the fire fight is taking place.

Halo 3 has some pretty good sound. The surround always helps in FFAs for finding a fight/stealing the kills lol. The sound of the chain gun on the warthogs sounds awesome through the center channel as well as explosions from all around

---

-Bill

I'd have to say Bioshock for XBOX 360. (or the other platforms it came out on, for that matter).  The sounds were not unbelievable by themselves, but the way they pulled you into the game, as well as the soundtrack, that's no easy feat.

Call of Duty: World at War...especially at high volumes.  There is a LOT of dynamic range and it sounds awesome!

Try Killzone 2, recently had a guys night with the wife away, and that game rocked the system.

Definitely Killzone 2. Of course, it helps if you have HDMI 1.3 connection to extract every ounce of the soundtrack and make it pulse through the Aperion speakers.

---

Do or do not, there is no try.

stealth:

I'd have to say Bioshock for XBOX 360. (or the other platforms it came out on, for that matter).  The sounds were not unbelievable by themselves, but the way they pulled you into the game, as well as the soundtrack, that's no easy feat.

Agreed Hands down the best overall sounding xbox 360 game on Hometheater. Not only does the game play drag you in but the sound is amazing. Def 2 thumbs up and my favorite

 

jqwhite:

stealth:

I'd have to say Bioshock for XBOX 360. (or the other platforms it came out on, for that matter).  The sounds were not unbelievable by themselves, but the way they pulled you into the game, as well as the soundtrack, that's no easy feat.

Agreed Hands down the best overall sounding xbox 360 game on Hometheater. Not only does the game play drag you in but the sound is amazing. Def 2 thumbs up and my favorite

 

 

Agreed. I'd add Dead Space in there too. Very enveloping and creepy. Not as good as Bioshock but it runs a close second. 

Personally, the sound quality on MLB 09 The Show for PS3 is absolutely amazing. I think it's one of the few PS3 games that is DTS-Certified. 

stealth:

I'd have to say Bioshock for XBOX 360. (or the other platforms it came out on, for that matter).  The sounds were not unbelievable by themselves, but the way they pulled you into the game, as well as the soundtrack, that's no easy feat.

Agree vehemently with BioShock, just bought it for $20 bucks an talk about an immersive soundtrack.

Also, has anyone played Batman Arkham Asylum?  On my second playthrough now and that game also has a great soundtrack.  You get great low level bass, as well as tons of small details.  There is so much going on as you explore Arkham Island that you hear many things that add to the layers of the sound in that game.

+1 on Arkham Asylum.  Great sound effects and actually a very fun game.  I'm still on my first run through (actually finished the main story, but I'm going for all of the Riddler puzzles).

Totally my vote for GOTY, I did the same on my first run through, solved whatever riddles were easy, and found the easy riddler trophies with the riddler maps, and then once I finished the story went back and explored more to find the rest.

Now playing through on hard, so I can add some more trophies.